Pioneers split with Whitewater and notch a program first run-rule victory against the Warhawks

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team achieved a first on Wednesday, a run-rule victory against UW-Whitewater. The Pioneers defeated the Warhawks 14-6 (six innings) in game one while the visitor bounced back and took game two 13-1 (five innings) at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex.

Rachel Plautz went 3-5 in game one, driving in five runs and tallying three runs of her own. Amanda Stanczuk was 3-4 in the first game and drove in one run and notched one run. Overall, the Pioneers (9-11, 1-1 WIAC) outhit the Warhawks(8-8, 1-1 WIAC) 14-9 in the first game of the WIAC double header.

UW-Whitewater was first to put up three runs in the first game, but the Pioneers cut their lead to one run after two innings. Then in the bottom of the 3^rd inning, the Pioneers dished out seven runs while facing three different Warhawks in the circle. Plautz's 3RBI home run capped off the inning and gave the Pioneers a 9-3 lead. 

The Warhawks added three runs in the 4^th inning, but so did the Pioneers in the 5th. UW-Platteville led 12-6 in the bottom of the 6th with two outs and a runner on first. Alexandria Davis stole second just before Plautz stepped up to the plate and doubled to right center to score one run. Jordan Johnson then hit the walk-off single up the middle to score the final run and run-rule win.

Johnson (4-1) also took the win, striking out one and walking one while allowing three hits and two earned runs in 1.2 innings. Claire Bakkestuen registered her first save of the season and struck out five and walked one in three innings pitched. 

Unfortunately, bats went cold in the second game for the Pioneers while the Warhawks heated up. UW-Whitewater's Kate Cleveland only gave up three hits in the five innings pitched. 

A trio of doubles in the second frame scored four and the Warhawks duplicated the runs in the next frame. Whitewater drove in five more runs in the fifth off three singles and a double down the left line for the five-inning win. 

A team of four Pioneers tried, but were unable to tame the Warhawks and starting pitcher McKenna Rommel (2-6) suffered the loss tallying one strikeout and allowing four hits and two earned runs. 

The Pioneers will return to action on Sunday, April 10 when they host UW-Eau Claire on Alumni Day. First pitch at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex is schedule for noon.